Minister Sarah Mitchell, Steph Cooke announce state funding for Junee RSL Memorial Preschool

But it might prove more of a hindrance than a help to Junee’s largest preschool.

Beginning next year, the grants will reinstate some of what was lost during 2014 funding cuts.

Three-year-old preschoolers will qualify for funding if they attend 600 hours each year. The amount per child will be 25 per cent of what is given to four-year-olds, annually increasing until it sits at 50 per cent in 2022.

NSW Minister for Early Childhood Education Sarah Mitchell joined Steph Cooke on Tuesday to discuss the announcement at Junee RSL Memorial Preschool.

“What we were hearing was that preschools wanted funding for three-year-olds,” said Minister Mitchell.

Preschool director Rebecca Hart sees the minimum 600 hours as potentially problematic.

“I recognise we’re in a unique position as a big preschool in a small town. Of course there are different circumstances, and you can’t get it right for all.

“A lot of parents enroll their three-year-olds one day a week as a sort of an orientation, and it’s vital to build their understanding of structure and routine, and reduce their separation anxiety.”

At the moment, the preschool has a mix of three- and four-year-olds attending, but if all the younger children increase to a second day each week, the preschool be beyond capacity.

“We’re already spending more than we can afford on wages, and since the funding won’t be as much for three-year-olds, it won’t actually help too much.”

“Even if we increase our hours to have three-year-olds coming for a full, long day, that’s still not going to hit the mimimum 600 hours [a year]. They need to be coming two days a week, and then there aren’t enough days in the week for our four-year-olds too.”

“What I would like to see is funding for three-year-olds for 300 hours, even if that’s at the 25 per cent rate, it’d be more helpful.”